The correct first action is to evaluate the impact on the project schedule and identify possible mitigation strategies. This is because the PMBOK Guide’s Control Schedule process mandates that before escalating or implementing a change, you must analyze the delay’s effect on the critical path and determine options like fast-tracking or crashing. On the PMP exam, this question tests your understanding of the “analyze before act” principle in predictive project management, where a vendor delay critical component first action must be a data-driven assessment rather than an emotional reaction. A common trap is jumping to escalate to management or immediately ordering the component elsewhere, which skips the required impact analysis. Remember the memory tip: “Assess before you address”—always quantify the schedule variance and explore mitigation before communicating or taking corrective action.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are managing a construction project using a predictive approach. A key vendor informs you that they will not be able to deliver a critical component for another two weeks, which will delay the project. What should you do FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Evaluate the impact on the project schedule and identify possible mitigation strategies
Option D is correct because the first step in managing a schedule delay is to analyze the impact on the project schedule and identify potential mitigation strategies. According to the PMBOK Guide's 'Manage Communications' and 'Control Schedule' processes, you must assess the situation before escalating or taking corrective action. This aligns with the principle of 'analyze before act' in predictive project management.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Ask the team to work overtime to make up for the delay
Why it's wrong here
Working overtime may not be feasible or effective without a plan.
✗
Initiate a change request to extend the project schedule
Why it's wrong here
A change request may be needed, but first assess the impact and alternatives.
✗
Immediately notify the sponsor about the delay without further analysis
Why it's wrong here
The PM should first analyze the impact and potential solutions before escalating.
✓
Evaluate the impact on the project schedule and identify possible mitigation strategies
Why this is correct
Assessing the situation and exploring alternatives is the appropriate first step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to 'notify the sponsor' (Option C) because they confuse escalation with immediate communication, but the PMP exam emphasizes that analysis and impact assessment must precede any communication or corrective action.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In predictive (waterfall) projects, the 'Control Schedule' process involves comparing actual progress against the baseline, using techniques like critical path method (CPM) analysis to determine the delay's effect on the project end date. Mitigation strategies such as fast-tracking (performing activities in parallel) or crashing (adding resources) are evaluated for cost-benefit trade-offs before any formal change request. This ensures the project manager maintains control and provides data-driven recommendations to stakeholders.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Evaluate the impact on the project schedule and identify possible mitigation strategies — Option D is correct because the first step in managing a schedule delay is to analyze the impact on the project schedule and identify potential mitigation strategies. According to the PMBOK Guide's 'Manage Communications' and 'Control Schedule' processes, you must assess the situation before escalating or taking corrective action. This aligns with the principle of 'analyze before act' in predictive project management.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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